Ney Carter Borges: Mechanisms, Phenotype, and Clinical Implications of Acute Coronary Syndrome with Plaque Erosion
Ney Carter Borges, Member Cardiologist of Global Physician Association at Cleveland Clinic Florida, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Acute Coronary Syndrome with Plaque Erosion: Mechanisms, Phenotype, and Clinical Implications
Coronary plaque erosion has emerged as a major and distinct mechanism underlying acute coronary syndromes (ACS), accounting for approximately one-third of cases in contemporary optical coherence tomography (OCT) studies .
Unlike plaque rupture, which is characterized by a lipid-rich necrotic core and fibrous cap disruption, plaque erosion typically involves an intact fibrous cap with endothelial denudation and a predominantly platelet-rich (‘white’) thrombus.
Clinically, patients with plaque erosion present a unique phenotype.
They are generally younger, more often women, and exhibit fewer traditional cardiovascular risk factors:
- diabetes
- chronic kidney disease
- severe dyslipidemia
In addition, systemic inflammatory markers (e.g., hsCRP, IL-6) tend to be lower, suggesting that plaque erosion is driven less by systemic inflammation and more by localized vascular and immune processes.
Pathophysiologically, plaque erosion follows a multi-hit mechanism.
Disturbed coronary flow and elevated shear stress lead to endothelial activation, promoting expression of adhesion molecules and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2).
This environment facilitates recruitment of neutrophils and T lymphocytes, triggering endothelial injury via cytotoxic mediators, reactive oxygen species, and myeloperoxidase activity.
Subsequent NETosis and platelet activation culminate in thrombus formation.
From a diagnostic standpoint, OCT plays a pivotal role by identifying intact fibrous caps and distinguishing erosion from rupture.
Therapeutically, this distinction is clinically relevant, as selected patients may benefit from conservative strategies, including intensive antiplatelet therapy without stent implantation.
Emerging targets such as TLR2, MPO, HYAL2, and NETosis pathways may further enable precision-based interventions in the future.”

Other posts featuring Net Carter Borges on Hemostasis Today.
-
Jun 9, 2026, 17:55Can We Prevent Postpartum Blood Clots without Putting Most Women on Heparin? – RPTH Journal
-
Jun 9, 2026, 17:54Lucky Oseghale Oloboh: Health Is Power, Health Is Personal, and Health Is Our First Responsibility in Life’s Journey on Mother Earth
-
Jun 9, 2026, 17:53Ajay Samkaria: How ABO Subgroups Directly Impact Transfusion Safety
-
Jun 9, 2026, 17:51Alejandro González Veliz: Most Reported Aspirin Allergies Are Not True Hypersensitivity
-
Jun 9, 2026, 17:50Mary Cushman: It’s Time to Apply to Be on an ISTH SSC
-
Jun 9, 2026, 15:56Wolfgang Miesbach: A New Genetic Perspective on the Worldwide Burden of von Willebrand Disease
-
Jun 9, 2026, 15:34Shanon Marie Corsino: Nationwide Insights into Cancer-Associated Thrombosis in Filipino Patients
-
Jun 9, 2026, 15:20Murtuza Ali: Types of Blood Transfusions – A Quick Clinical Guide
-
Jun 9, 2026, 15:18Mital Jhaveri: TRACK Trial Findings Highlight the Unique Challenges of Advanced CKD